Former Test spinner Greg Matthews has said that that the Australian selectors had taken a hasty decision in dropping Nathan Lyon from the Australian squad for the second Test against India, in favour of left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty.

Expressing his hope that the selectors will show faith in Lyon and backing the off-spinner to force his way back into the national team, Matthews said that Lyon's performance in the Chennai Test should have been taken as a deviation from his normal form, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Stating that Lyon's previous record should have been taken into account, Matthews said that the off-spinner, who had taken 65 wickets in 20 Tests, should have been given the opportunity to play in the Hyderabad Test, but added that the selectors had gone with two other options.

Matthews further said that Lyon has not yet reached his full potential, and given the opportunity, he can reach the top rungs in Australian cricket in the future.

Selectors dropped the off-spinner after Lyon had little impact in the Chennai massacre, taking three wickets for more than 200 runs in the first innings while India's spinners wreaked havoc.